Maternal serum screening at 13 weeks

[ChloeLeighCorn]

Can anyone explain what these results mean? I know it says low risk but does anyone know specifically which each specimen is for? And why there are two different results? Which do they use for the risk assessment? Thank you.

[abcgirl]

They use all those ‘specimens’ which are different measurements to develop the risk factor. You’d have to google each one but I know NT is nuch translucency which is the measurement they make at the back of the neck.

If you’re concerned and want a more accurate result - I paid privately for the Harmony test which is just a blood draw and they find fetal blood in your blood and look at the baby’s DNA - can also find out the sex this way too

[abcgirl]

Also the different results are for different syndromes - there’s 3 actually - Downs, Patau and Edwards

[ChloeLeighCorn]

Where did you get the harmony test done? I’ve seen various versions advertised and not sure which one to go for? Do you have a link to a website? Xx

[Sisi07 in reply to ChloeLeighCorn]

Hi, I've done mine at Chelsea and Westminster hospital. They offer it on the private part of the hospital. It is little cheaper than other places. Very efficient and the midwife who has done the test was amazing. Results very quickly as well.

[Ruthjmusic]

Those results look pretty identical to the ones I got from the harmony test - I suspect the test you've had done is the same/similar with a different name?

[ChloeLeighCorn in reply to Ruthjmusic]

It was just the usual screening test that they do at the dating scan when they take the NT.

[ChloeLeighCorn in reply to ChloeLeighCorn]

I think it’s called maternal serum screening?

[Ruthjmusic]

Ah ok. From what I can tell the difference between the two is the harmony text takes a sample of your blood and then extracts fetal DNA from it, so it's the foetus' blood it screens rather than yours. My apologies - we don't get the NT test here in NI because terminations are illegal in practically all circumstances, so the attitude is that it doesn't matter if your foetus has a fatal genetic abonormality; you have to carry to term, miscarriage or go to the mainland for a termination.

[ChloeLeighCorn in reply to Ruthjmusic]

Oh wow that’s terrible. I would never choose to have a termination myself but each individual woman should be able to make that choice for herself either way especially when fatal.

I’m pretty confident that the results are okay, I’m low risk so not too concerned. I don’t really have the money to spend £500 on the harmony test so I’ll have to wait until my anatomy scan for piece of mind.

I did some research and there’s some questions about how accurate the test actually is. Something to do with the people who choose to have it are usually people who already have a high risk so it would already be likely that they’d test positive accurately. And because the majority of people who are low risk don’t tend to be able to justify the money if they’re not likely to have an issue there’s some questions about if it would be as accurate if that was factored in.

[Hidden]

Your results look very low risk- I wouldn’t bother doing a Harmony test now as it I don’t think it will give you any additional info unless you are super keen to know gender. I had one as I am over 35 but I had mine instead of the NHS screening tests. Xx

[ChloeLeighCorn in reply to Hidden]

Thank you that’s reassuring to hear, I feel guilty that I can’t get the harmony test. I do want to know the gender but 6 weeks will soon fly by. This pregnancy is going much quicker than my first. I didn’t get these last time just had the nt measurement before which was 1.3 for my son. I’m only 21 so low risk in general and don’t have any genetic history or anything like that. This was was 2 but they readjusted it to 1.1? That’s what I don’t really understand about it. Why did they change it? Xx

[Hidden in reply to ChloeLeighCorn]

They adjust it according to your weight. It’s recommended to make the screening more accurate x

[ChloeLeighCorn in reply to Hidden]

Ah that makes sense, do you know why it makes it more accurate? It’s a high risk pregnancy in itself (so being low risk for something is a relief one less thing to worry about) because of previous preeclampsia, recent c-section, previous strain on heart towards the end of pregnancy, clotting and my son was born with congenital heart disease (not too serious just a small hole that they’re monitoring) and my bmi is over 45. I didn’t think I’d be able to get pregnant that quickly because of my weight but the consultant at my dating scan said although my weight does effect it I’m also quite young and fertile she said all my reproductive bits are completely healthy and I’m the most fertile I’ll probably ever be right now, so it kind of outweighs the weight thing (pun intended). Consultant and all the Midwifes have reassured me that they’ve seen many people my weight and even much bigger have health babies at the end of it all. Sorry I tend to overshare. 😩😂 xx

[Hidden in reply to ChloeLeighCorn]

No need to apologise. I don’t know why- just that there were studies looking at weight correction and how it improved accuracy of the results. Sounds like you will be closely monitored during this pregnancy and hope all goes well. Xx

[Sez46]

Good morning ladies,

My partner and I had the Harmony test done as our results came back as very high risk for downs syndrome and we just needed to know for sure. We were only offered the harmony test as our risk was very high, and was under the impression that they don't offer it if your score is less than 1 in 300. It's an expensive test but as it's meant to be more accurate we went for it we had the results back within a week and worth every penny to know xx